ABSTRACT
The year 2007 marks a watershed moment in the commercial history of biotechnology in the country. The Indian state initiated a National Biotechnology Development Strategy and paved the way for an organised ecosystem by becoming its central agent. It extended crucial support for the growth of the private MBT sector in the country by extending support in terms of budgetary sanctions, infrastructure, institutions, capital, and favourable policy environment. This chapter explicates the central role of the Indian state in the MBT ecosystem and argues, if not for the active role of the state, MBT in the country would cease to exist in its current form.
